Method of assembling cage tops



. Juy 28, 1931 A' E. w. LITTLE 1,815,982

` l. l METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CAGE TOPS Filed Dec. 7, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 gra/vento@ Me Mpg top partially Patented duly 28, 1/931 MTHOD 0E' SS mail.; CAGE TOPS A Appition led December?. 1929. 'Serial No. 412,802.

This invention relates to method of assembling the top of bird cages, particularly of the Japanese type and one feature of the invention is the means of assembling the top .forming wires together in the form of a substantially cone shaped roof and rigidly ancllioring the top ends thereof toa supporting ate. v c P A further feature ofthe invention is in so constructing the top portion of the cage that it may be welded or otherwise secured to the body of the cage structure with a minimum of welding operations and at the same time constitute a veryvrigid connection between these parts. i

A further'featureof the vinvention is in so anchoring the upper ends of the top forming wires thatwhen suspended from a support, a ore orless direct longitudinal pull' will be directed against said wires.

A furtherv feature of the invention is the provision of an endless, substantially channel shaped band for conceali the extreme lower I ends of the top forming wres from view and at the same time give an ornamental eect to the completed cage. v

A further feature of the invention is in constructing the top formin wires that they will snap into position within the channelgof' the band ittingover the ends thereof, when the assembled top forming wires are dredvn` dily through the band. v y A further feature of the invention 1s the l provision of means for reinforcing the lower i end portions Vof .the vtop vforming wiresand rendering them suiliciently rigid that the ends thereof will remain normally seated within through the top portion showing the posi Vtion of the wires with the band before being drawn through the band, and,

Figure 4V isa similar view showing the position 'of the top forming wires just prior C5 to snapping into the band.

Referring to the'drawings, in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

the numeral 1 designates the body forming 90 wires of the cage, which are vertically 'arranged, with the upper end portions thereof connected with encircling wire bands 2 and 3, preferably by spot welding, the band 3 the wires 1.

Extending over the upper ends of the body forming wires 1, are the top forming wires 4, which are preferably arcuately arranged being preferably at the extreme to'p ends of 'C5 to form a substantially cone shaped top, said a wires 4, adjacent their lower ends, resting upon the band 3, to which certain of them are secured, preferably by spot welding, as shown at 5, in Fig. 2. h

In order to conceal the extreme lower ends of the wires 4 from view, a metal band 8, substantially channel shaped in cross section, is placed over said ends land secured thereto, preferably by spot welds 9, which are placed at suitable intervals around the m b and, 'the band 8 being of considerable width and provided at its edges with beads 10 for rendering the same more or less ornamental.' The band 8 is preferably constructedin a single length andl hen bent 85 into circular `formation and the ends thereof secured' together, preferably lby spot welding, so that when t ewelded portion is propy erly treated, the band will have the 'appearm ance of a continuous surface.

Substantially mid-way between theA point of connection of the wires 4 with the band 3 and the band 8, a band 6 is introduced below the wires 4 and secured thereto, Ipreferabl by spot welds, as' indicated at 7, g. 2, eac wire 4 being welded to the ring or band 6, thereby making said wires 4 extremely rigid at this point and preventin undue bending of the projecting portions o the wires.

The top ends f the wires 4 are provided we with hook terminals 11, which fit over and interlock with a vertically extending flange 12 of an anchoring and supporting plate 13, the' hook terminals 11 being so arranged that a pull will be directed lengthwise of the wires 4', when the cage is suspended by the lplate 13. The late 13 is so ,constructed that a valley 14 is ormed adjacent the flange 12 and by introducing solder or the like into thisvalley and over and between the terminals 11, said terminals will be securely anchored to-vthe plate 13, f

In assemblingthe top' portion, the, Wires 4 are positioned'to engage the terminals 11 with the iiange -12 and are then soldered thereto. The lower ends. of the wires. 4 are then entered inthe channel of the band 8,l

welds required to properly anchor thev top -'to the body are limited, thus making a great Savin in -time of manufacture.

By assem ling the parts of the cage struc-` ture in the manner described, a very strong and durable structure is provided, while the cost of production is reduced to a minimum,

without weakening any parts of the ycage 5touring a. reinforcing and.' retaining band structure.

- What Ifclaim is: c p

1. A method of assembling the top portion of a cage structure consisting in anchoring v,the upper ends of a plurality of top forming wires,entering the' lower ends of said wires 1n a substantially channel shaped band, and

the groove of a channel shaped-band -and welding a reinforcing and retaining band to said top forming wires in juxtaposition to said channel shaped band to prevent bending of thev wires adjacent the lower ends thereof.

. ln testimony whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand on this the 26'day of November,

1929, A. D. EARLy W. Li'iTLE.

welding an additional band to said wires at a. point above said first band.

2. A method of assembling the. top of a cage consisting-in anchoring the upper ends of a plurality of'radiating top forming wires, forcing the free lower ends thereof to snap into the groove of an endless band, andseto one face of said top forming wires'v adjacent their point of entrance into the grooved band.

'3.- A' method of assembling the top of a cage consisting in anchoring the upper4 ends of a .plurality of top forming wires and impartin spring action to the lower free ends thereo contracting the free ends of said wires and entering them into the channel of a channel shaped band, and welding a reinforcing and retaining band to one face of each of said top' forming wires.'

4. A method of assembling the top 'of a cage consisting in anchoringthe upper ends of a plurality of top forming wires, drawing or forcing the free ends of said wires into 

